Holiday Cocktail Recipes!

Editor's Note: Today I am wearing Chanel pearls, a wool sweater with pearls from Ann Taylor, Elie Tahari pants and C. Wonder shoes.

If you're entertaining for Christmas, chances are you'll be serving up a cocktail or two. I like to have lots of different things on hand, wine, champagne and commonly preferred liquors like vodka and bourbon. To mix things up, especially during the festive holiday season, it's fun to have a signature cocktail.. It's a great conversation starter, and if you present them artfully, they can add to your decor!

Here are three holiday cocktails you should try this week!

1. Martha Stewart's Classic Eggnog- If you need a classic recipe for anything, Martha is your girl. This recipe is not exactly simple, but it's definitely worth it, especially for those egg nog "purists" on your guest list!

Here's what you'll need:

• 6 large eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 cups heavy cream, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup bourbon, preferably Maker's Mark
• 1/4 cup dark rum, preferably Mount Gay
• 1/4 cup Cognac, preferably Remy Martin Grand Cru
• Freshly grated nutmeg, for sprinkling

Here's what to do:

1. Beat yolks in a very large bowl until thick and pale. Slowly beat in sugar. Whisk in milk and 2 cups cream. Mix in bourbon, rum, and Cognac. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

2. Just before serving, beat whites until stiff peaks form. Fold whites into eggnog. Whisk remaining 1 cup cream until stiff peaks form, and fold into eggnog. (Alternatively, you can fold half the whipped cream into eggnog, and top with remaining half.) Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart 

Kay's Style Tip- Serve your egg nog in a pretty antique punch bowl! 

Waterford Martini Glasses Via Nordstrom

2. Pomegranate Cosmopolitan- Who doesn't love a classic cosmopolitan. Make this version for your guests who love a good creative cocktail! It's delicious, inventive and most importantly more red than a normal cosmo, making it that much more festive! Love this recipe from Ina Garten via the Food Network.

Here's what you'll need:

2 cups  good vodka 

1 cup orange liqueur 

1 cup pomegranate juice 

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)

Lime peel strips, to garnish

Here's what to do: 

Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and refrigerate

until ready to use. Pour the mixture into frozen martini glasses with a twist of lime peel and serve 

immediately.

Kay's Style Tip- Serve your Cosmos in crystal martini glasses for an extra festive touch!

image via Martha Stewart

3. Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail from Martha Stewart- I hate to be boring and steer you in Martha's direction twice, but I wanted to include a champagne cocktail on this list and this Pear and Cranberry version looked too yummy and festive to pass up!

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons dry cranberries
• 1/2 cup organic pear nectar
• 32 ounces Moscato d'Asti wine
• 8 small sprigs fresh rosemary

Here's what to do:

1. Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.
2. Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d'Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Kay's Style Tip- Use your fanciest champagne flutes for this recipe and keep extra champagne or Moscato d'Asti in a silver bucket or crystal champagne bucket----I find that sometimes guests like a topper of plain champagne mixed with the remnants of the cocktail for a slightly less sweet treat!

What is your favorite holiday cocktail recipe? I would love to hear in the comments below!

My mother's crystal cabinet. It's fun to have lots of different crystal on hand that you can pull out when entertaining to make your spread look effortlessly elegant.

Last night I made grilled chicken and asparagus for dinner.